MY NEW DRUG LAMOTRIGINE

[TEAH35]

I had my psychiatrist appointment yesterday, and I understand that this is not a forum for bipolar, but that is what he is trying to help me with, in conjunction with my RLS.

I was seriously hoping that a certain med would be able to go, but which one, they are all so important. For instance, the Seroquel is working 100% in alleviating my insomnia completely. But as for helping my mood, (which has been, for me, at the lowest low possible for over a month now, so in that respect it has been a dismal failure). It will be of no surprise to you all, but a new drug has been introduced into my regime. And that drug is Lamotrigine.

It is an anti-epileptic med, also called an anticonvulsant, and is used either alone or in combination with other meds to treat epileptic seizures in adults and children. It's also used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder (manic depression).

So I am not an epileptic, and I do not have convulsions, (apart from the occasional RLS convulsion), and I have never had any seizures.

My shrink has advised me that the side effects could be quite awful, so I have to be administered the lowest dose possible at first and then it would probably be between 7 to 8 months before I begin to feel any improvement .

Something happened to me recently on Mother's Day that should have put my mood over the moon, with happiness.

My son has been estranged from me for 4 years and in that time, of course, I have not seen my gorgeous grandchildren. I received an envelope full of photos of the children and two sketches with crayons, obviously the work of the babies. It's the first time ever I have had Grandma drawings on my fridge. But did I feel happy? I was very pleased ... but no, I am afraid not. Unfortunately happy did not come into it. So I desperately need this new drug to work.

[DicCarlson]

All these psych meds are a slippery slope - Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is often added to a SSRI regime to improve the effectiveness. Side effects are indeed hideous. Seroquel is an anti-psychotic and not recommended just as a sleep aid. Round and round - one drug to do this - one drug to counter the side effect of the first drug. There are more natural ways to address psych issues, start here... kellybroganmd.com/

[Hidden in reply to DicCarlson]

Oh dear. That is Lamictal?!

Grany: I am going to send you a PM about my short experience with this drug. Not to scare you, but to warn you to look to the Lamictal if any of these pop up. I know that everyone has different experiences with drugs, but PLEASE be careful with this one.

[Farrah711]

Hi

I was given Lamictal to help boost my antidepresant....I got a rash immediately so had to stop.

[TEAH35 in reply to Farrah711]

Yes I have been warned about the rash. How many were you taking and for how long before the rash appeared?

[Neverache]

I have been on Lamictal and had zero side effects from it. I cannot handle any other anti-convulsant on the market because of horrible side effects, but there were none with Lamictal. This is just a reminder that we all react differently to medications, but Lamictal is generally considered to be the easiest of the anticonvulsants.